25. Aubrey

25

Aubrey

Cedar Creek is exactly the kind of small town you read about in cozy novels, where every storefront has a welcoming glow and the sidewalks are perfect for leisurely strolls. It’s charming, with a blend of old brick buildings and cheerful banners waving from lampposts. Each shop window is artfully arranged to display unique, often handcrafted items that scream local and loved.

Luke is bubbling with energy today, his little legs carrying him eagerly down the quaint streets.

“Mommy, why is that dog dressed?” he asks, pointing with a chubby finger at a dachshund dressed more stylishly than either of us.

“Because, sweetheart, even dogs get cold,” I laugh, taking his hand as we meander through the bustling Saturday morning crowd.

We stumble upon a corner park nestled between an old-fashioned bakery and a bookshop. It’s a small oasis of green, the grass well-tended and the playground equipment looking freshly painted. Luke’s eyes light up at the sight of the slide and he tugs at my hand. “Go, Mommy!” he urges, and I release him to the joys of play.

I find a bench nearby and settle in with my coffee, the steam curling up into the crisp morning air. I sip slowly, watching Luke as he navigates the jungle gym with the fearless abandon of a two-year-old. Other kids join him, and together they create a symphony of giggles and shouts.

My mind wanders to Sean, to the intensity of our recent closeness in the barn back at the ranch. There’s no denying the connection between us—it’s as palpable as the warmth of my coffee cup against the cool morning.

Yet, beneath that, there’s a thread of worry I can’t quite shake off. Sean’s been different lately; there’s a shadow over him that wasn’t there before, a tension in his shoulders when he thinks I’m not looking.

He’s hiding something, I’m sure of it. I wish I knew what it was. The fear that it could be something big enough to shake the fragile foundation we’re building gnaws at me.

We’ve come so far, and Luke—sweet, innocent Luke—is growing so attached to Sean. The thought of any harm coming to this budding little family of ours tightens my chest.

I shake off the worry, trying to focus on the here and now—the laughter of children, the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, the comforting warmth of my coffee.

As I'm sipping on my coffee and watching Luke conquer the playground, a woman with a chic vibe that screams 'city slicker' slides onto the bench next to me. She’s all long, luscious brown hair and a fashion sense that’s more high-end boutique than Cedar Creek thrift.

"Kids at this age are just the cutest, aren’t they?" she starts off, her voice smooth and inviting as she watches Luke with an amused smile.

"They absolutely are," I agree, chuckling as Luke makes friends with a sandbox. "It's the age of adorable chaos."

She laughs, a sound that fits the light, breezy day perfectly. "So much energy, so little direction. It's endearing."

"Congratulations on your marriage to Sean, by the way. It must be quite a change for you both," she says, her tone smooth but with an undertone that makes me pause mid-sip of my coffee.

"Thank you," I reply, a little puzzled. "But... I'm curious, how do you know Sean and me?"

She gives a knowing smile, her eyes still locked on my ring. "Oh, news around here travels at lightning speed. Plus, Sean is always quite the topic of conversation in town. I’m sure you can think of some reasons why.”

I chuckle nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I suppose that's small-town life for you. Everyone knows everyone's business, huh?"

"Exactly," she agrees, her smile broadening. "Especially when it's something as exciting as a new marriage. Everyone in Cedar Creek loves a good love story." Her gaze lingers just a tad too long, as if trying to read my reaction. “I’m Yasmine, by the way.”

She offers up a French-nail-tipped hand, and I take it. “Aubrey.”

I shift slightly, feeling a prickly sense of unease creep up. "And yeah, it's all been a whirlwind," I admit, trying to steer the conversation back to neutral ground. "Small towns do have their charm, though. The community feels so connected."

"They do, and they are," she nods, her interest seemingly satisfied for now. "It’s what makes living here so special. The connections can be a lifeline—or, sometimes, a bit of a fishbowl."

I laugh, the sound a bit more forced as I consider her words. "Well, I guess I'll have to navigate that fishbowl now, won’t I?"

Yasmine’s eyes narrow slightly, and she leans in as if to share a secret. "Speaking of navigating, how do you manage with Sean’s... history? I mean, it must be a challenge, right?"

Caught off guard by her forwardness, I pause, my smile faltering. "I’m sorry, but which one of these kids is yours?" I ask, hoping to steer the conversation away from such personal territory.

Her expression shifts, the facade of friendliness slipping. "Oh, I don’t have kids," she says flatly. "But I do have history with Sean. We were high school sweethearts, you know."

I tense, feeling a chill despite the warm sun. "I see," I reply cautiously.

Yasmine leans back, her demeanor changing as she sizes me up with a newfound intensity. "Sean always had a way of moving on, but he and I... we have a connection that isn't so easy to shake. I know he still has feelings for me. It’s only a matter of time before he realizes that marrying some random woman won’t change his true feelings."

Her words sting, and I feel my defensive walls rising. "I’m not just some random woman," I retort sharply. "I’m his wife, and we have a family. Whatever history you have with Sean is just that—history."

Yasmine smiles, a cold, calculated expression that doesn’t reach her eyes. "We’ll see," she says, standing up. "Just know that you’ll be seeing more of me around. Cedar Creek isn’t that big, after all."

With that parting shot, she turns and walks away, leaving me to stew in a mix of anger and worry. I watch her go, my heart pounding in my chest. This unexpected encounter has thrown me for a loop. It's clear Yasmine isn't over Sean, and her presence could complicate things.

Gathering my composure, I turn my attention back to Luke, who’s blissfully unaware of the adult tensions swirling around him. He's giggling as he chases a butterfly, his joy a sharp contrast to the confrontation I just endured.

As I watch Yasmine round the corner and disappear from view, a jolt of nerves still buzzes through me. My gaze drifts across the street and locks on Buck Winston, that rancher I met back at the restaurant, slipping into a shop. His glance sweeps over me a little too knowingly before he vanishes inside. Am I being paranoid, or is Cedar Creek starting to feel more like a thriller movie set?

Shaking off the creeping unease, I call out to Luke, who is blissfully unaware of adult dramas, deeply immersed in his playground utopia. "Luke, sweetheart, time to head home!"

His protests are loud and clear. "No, wanna play more!"

I pull my trump card with a grin. "What about going to see Uncle Sean?" Like magic, his complaints turn into excitement.

"Uncle Sean!" he cheers and suddenly he's racing towards me, energized by the promise of seeing Sean.

We make our way back to the ranch, the familiar landscape rolling by soothingly. Pulling into the driveway, I spot Sean on the porch of the main house, looking every bit the steadfast rock I need right now. Luke spots him too and practically teleports from the car to his arms, his little legs a blur.

"Uncle Sean!" Luke squeals, flying into Sean’s open arms. Sean swings him around, and Luke's laughter is like music, easing some of the heaviness in my heart.

Watching them, a warm glow replaces the chill from my earlier encounter. Despite the unsettling words from Yasmine and the shadows of doubt they cast, seeing Sean with Luke—so full of love and pride—anchors me back to what's real and solid between us.

I stroll up to them, feeling lighter with each step. Sean’s smile widens as he spots me. “Hey, beautiful,” he greets with that charm that can melt away my concerns in an instant.

"Hey," I reply, my own smile spreading as I step up onto the porch to join my boys. I decide to keep the park encounter to myself for now; no need to cloud this perfect family picture.

Sean's busy getting Luke settled with a coloring book when I finally decide it's time to tackle the elephant in the room—or in this case, the ex from the park. Before I can even start, Sean catches my uneasy glance. "Everything okay? You look like you’ve just walked out of a horror movie."

"Actually," I start, deciding to just spill it, "I ran into someone today. Yasmine. Remember her?"

Sean’s eyebrows shoot up, his face a mix of surprise and annoyance. "Yasmine? From high school?" he asks, clearly trying to connect the dots.

"Yes, that Yasmine," I confirm, watching his reaction closely. "She seemed to think you guys had something epic, claimed you were still in love with her or something. It was... a lot."

Sean laughs, but it's short and sharp, more out of disbelief than amusement. "What? We dated for a hot second. It wasn't the love story of the century. I barely remember it."

I nod, feeling a mix of relief and frustration bubble up. "Yeah, well, she was pretty convincing. Made it sound like you were Romeo pining for Juliet."

His face hardens a bit with irritation. "That’s ridiculous. I'm sorry she told you that. It's complete nonsense, I promise."

I appreciate his reassurance but can't help the little flicker of doubt. "Thanks. It just threw me, you know? Not exactly what you expect to hear some random afternoon in the park."

Sean reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I can imagine. But really, there's nothing to worry about. She’s living in the past."

Luke waddles over, his little face alight with the serious business of toddler art. "Uncle Sean, look!" he chirps, thrusting forward a crayon scribble that's more a rainbow explosion than anything else.

Sean crouches to his level, his eyes lighting up with pure dad-mode delight. “Whoa, that’s a masterpiece! You might just outdo Mommy soon!” he cheers, scooping Luke up with a gentle swing. Luke’s laughter rings clear, his tiny arms clinging to Sean’s neck.

"Color with me?" Luke's voice is hopeful, eyes wide and shining.

“You bet, Picasso!” Sean grins, setting him back down by the coloring books strewn across our makeshift porch studio.

I hang back a touch, sipping my coffee, a smile playing on my lips as I watch them dive into the world of paper and crayons. Despite the rollercoaster of emotions from the Yasmine encounter and Sean’s mysterious shoulder saga, moments like these are like a snapshot of what I’d always hoped our little family could be.

The ease between them, Sean’s laughter mingling with Luke’s excited chatter, it’s soothing—almost enough to mute the buzz of worries in my mind. It’s these simple, perfect moments I want to bottle up and keep, not just the looming shadows of what-ifs.

As Luke glances up, catching my eye, and waves a crayon in invitation, I can’t help but melt a little more. “Come color, Mommy!” he commands, and really, who am I to deny such a heartfelt royal summons?

Setting aside my cup, I join them on the porch floor, ready to contribute to the kaleidoscope of crayon art. “Alright, let’s see if Mommy can stay inside the lines,” I quip, grabbing a crayon with mock solemnity.

For now, I shelf the worries. This right here, with crayon in hand and my two favorite boys beside me, is what matters. We’re painting our family portrait one scribble at a time, and I’m all in—come what may. I mean, how could I not be? With these two, even the messiest moments somehow turn into something beautiful.